A LEADING animal rights organisation has praised Sheikh Mohammed's handling of the doping scandal that has cast a pall over horse racing.

Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni will appear in front of the British Horseracing Authority's disciplinary panel this afternoon, and PETA (People for the Ethic Treatment of Animals) has clamoured for his licence to be revoked.

Al Zarooni administered anabolic steroids to 11 of his horses, which has "appalled and angered" the owner.

The trainer conceded he had made a "catastrophic mistake", and the stables were in lockdown yesterday as a comprehensive testing procedure was carried out on the other horses.

In a letter to the Sheikh, PETA's president and founder Ingrid Newkirk called for the BHA to impose the harshest penalty on Al Zarooni.

Mahmood Al Zarooni will appear before a disciplinary panel this afternoon

We hope that you will impose the harshest disciplinary action, including permanent dismissal from Godolphin

A letter written by the PETA president

She wrote: "The gratuitous administration of these drugs at the expense of the safety of the horses is cruelty to animals and a breach of the most fundamental veterinary principles.

"We hope that you will impose the harshest disciplinary action, including permanent dismissal from Godolphin, on Mahmood Al Zarooni and any veterinarians or other connections who served as accomplices."